photographxgrl

Just a quick update since so many people have offered their advice on this topic. I offered the '01 Subaru Forester owners $4000 and they declined so I drove the old '92 Legacy wagon but found it needs a lot of work. I'm no mechanic but it felt very shaky when I drove it and the interior looked/felt very worn--like window motors starting to go, etc. I mean, I expect wear and tear, of course, but it just kind of felt that I'd need to do a lot more work than I'd have the experience level to pull off. I've also decided that I can't really risk the payment necessary to buy the pretty '03 Forester so I'm still looking and test driving. I'm going to give the Neon a tune up, attempt to fix a broken back door lock and test drive a '99 Toyota Rav4 today. We'll see how that goes but wanted to just say thanks to everyone on this board! I appreciated your input. Laura

So, I ran across a '01 Forester for $5500 and test drove it today. The big catch is that it was in a one car wreck 2 years ago that damaged the rear suspension and drivetrain. The owner has all the paperwork showing the work done on the car and how it was fixed--her dad is her insurance agent. They have records showing that regular maintenance has been kept up and the following: 07/09 Headlight Switch/Wand Replaced 07/09 Timing Belt Replaced 04/09 Front Oxygen Sensor Replaced Knock Sensor Replaced Gas Cap Replaced 02/09 Ball Joints Replaced 01/09 Spark Plugs Replaced Half Shafts Replaced Serpentine Belts Replaced 08/08 Cooling System Flush Transmission/Filter Flush/Replaced 05/08 (2) Tires Replaced / Rotated 04/08 Brakes Replaced 12/07 (2) Tires Replaced/Rotated The car has 98,xxx miles on it and a lot of exterior scratches plus a couple of minor dings. On the interior everything works but one door speaker sounds bad, the seats are badly worn and stained, center console armrest is broken and the interior of the back hatch is all scratched up from hauling a ferret cage. Everything seemed to work fine, though, and it ran well except for a bit of a list to the right--I'm thinking the front end needs realigned. First question, is it just dumb to ever buy a car that has been wrecked and repaired? Does it matter that the car hit the ditch from the rear instead of having front end damage? Second question, is it even possible to fix all the cosmetic issues? Is it realistic to think that I could fix items like the broken arm rest for cheap or should I only buy it if I'm OK with it's worn looks? Hope I'm not becoming a pest but it's great to have you guys to bounce questions off of as I shop. I thank you! Laura

I really appreciate all the great info. I had been thinking I'd buy some sort of (hopefully Subaru) used car that I could pay cash for thus eliminating the need for a car payment but the only cars in my price range for that plan seem pretty used up. I've been hesitant about taking on a car payment for a lower milage used car (brand new is out of the question with my budget right now) because I was afraid of having a car payment AND major repairs at the same time but maybe I should rethink this strategy since I am no mechanic and these much older cars sound pretty needy. I currently drive a 2000 Dodge Neon in great condition but know that she's getting older. The car has 37,000 miles on it and is always serviced properly, washed, waxed and armor all-ed regularly so I'm hoping it will run a long time, yet, but I have two teen drivers now so feel we need a second car--that's why I am looking and asking all of these questions. So, today I stopped and looked at an absolutely gorgeous 2003 Forester for $10,000. It only has 34,335 miles on it and looks perfect. Belonged to a senior couple who's family now has to sell the car (husband passed and the wife is in a nursing home). It would mean a car payment but I was thinking since it's been treated as well as my own lil neon and it's only 34,xxx miles then it shouldn't need any major repairs for at least a couple of years thus making it the better deal? So, I'm just curious what this forum thinks about my thinking that I should expect this car to run without the major issues like head gaskets, blown transmissions and such so long as I treat the car properly. Does that sound reasonable? I would be using the Forester to haul around my kayaks, but as you can see from my neon, I don't put many miles a year on a car. OR maybe I should just start playing the lottery in hopes of being able to afford a brand new Outback

Thanks so much for all the replies! I appreciate it. My two main issues with the Forester are the height (I'm short and need to place my kayaks on top) and the dealership that's handling it--don't really trust them. But the Legacy seems pretty old and high mileage for someone with my limited mechanical know-how. Maybe neither is the right fit for me but I feel under a bit of pressure to get a second car since my teens are starting to drive. I do also like the cargo space of the Legacy, just wishing it was a bit newer. I haven't gleaned much info about the Forester's history so I'll need to run a CarFax on it but the Legacy has had 3 previous owners and so-so maintenance. If I could handle a real car payment then I'd have a lot more to choose from but it's slim pickin's in my price range. If I did buy the Legacy I'd have $1000 or so to spend on it after, any tips on first things to replace? I don't like the idea of two new and two old tires so that'd be first on my list, then all fluids and possibly struts. I know that one ball joint needs replacing but I don't know much about that/those. If I could get two more years out of the car that would at least help my situation. Laura

Enjoyed the pics, thanks for sharing. Really nice looking car.

I'm looking at two different Subarus and just looking for some general opinions on which seems the better/smarter buy. One is a 1992 Legacy wagon with 192,000 miles on it: http://chambana.craigslist.org/cto/1336813797.html The other is a 1999 Forester with 126,000 miles: http://chambana.craigslist.org/ctd/1354457905.html I'm just wondering how much of a difference does 1999 vs 1992 make mechanically? 192,000 vs 126,000? AWD Forester vs FWD Legacy as far as maintenance, known problems, price of parts, etc? Thanks for any input. Laura

I hear you and that's good to know about snow. I guess I'm feeling impatient and should just relax. I just have these two new teen drivers at home so I'm feeling a little more pressure to bring home a second car and really want it to be a Subaru. The best cars are usually out of my price range, though. I'm really happy to have found such an active forum, thank you!! laura

Yeah, according to the various car web sites (kbb, edmunds, etc) the legacy could be either FWD or AWD. Was hoping it was AWD but the owner says he's "almost positive it's FWD" so I'm guessing it really is FWD. Think I should hold out for an AWD? Going for a test drive this Friday since no one's gotten back to me on the Brat (bummer! I agree with the girl-driving-a-Brat opinion)

Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think I may have spent too much time researching and missed out on the Brat but I'm still looking to buy an older Subaru period. In general, do you find the various parts needed for older Subaru's are fairly easy to come by? Like can I find a lot of what I need at someplace like Autozone or will it take scouring eBay and the like? Since it's looking like the Brat may be sold, I'm thinking of test driving this wagon: http://chambana.craigslist.org/cto/1336813797.html It's only FWD, though, and I really wanted AWD. Laura

Hi. I found your forum as I was researching a 1980 Subaru Brat for sale. I don't have a lot of details on this specific vehicle, yet, but thought I'd ask some experts if something this old is really worth it for a non-mechanic. Any opinions? I've been shopping for an older Subaru (Ideally had wanted a 90's Impreza wagon but haven't found one in my area, yet) when I spotted this Brat. Hadn't known they existed before and just not sure something discontinued would be realistic in general for someone like myself to properly fix and maintain. I'm considering the Brat purchase just because the owner only wants $2000, has put some work into it like a new windshield and paint job, he says it only has 64,000 miles (not clear if those are original or not, yet), it would be a vehicle that I could haul stuff in and so a decent compliment to my little compact for now and because it looks cute and fun. But before I waste his time with a dozen questions I thought I'd better figure out if I could even realistically find a shop to service this baby and/or find correct parts when needed. I'd appreciate any sort of opinions or general feedback concerning owning a Brat, other's experience with owning Brats, cost of keeping one up, etc. I'm not afraid to get dirty and to learn a thing or two about my car but I'm no mechanic that's for sure. If it helps, I would not be wanting this for any off-roading but rather to finish restoring to a nice street machine. It would be a daily driver and vehicle to haul stuff like furniture purchases (maybe my kayak, too, occasionally but not sure this bed will be long enough). Thanks for any replies, Laura